The Confessions of Jean Jacques Rousseau — CompleteRousseau, Jean-Jacques
Philosophy
The Confessions of Jean Jacques Rousseau — Complete
Rousseau, Jean-Jacques
Authors, French -- 18th century -- Biography; Rousseau, Jean-Jacques, 1712-1778
It was necessary I should arrive at some place, and the nearest was
best; for having lost my way on the road, I found myself in the evening
at Moudon, where I spent all that remained of my little stock except ten
creuzers, which served to purchase my next day’s dinner. Arriving in
the evening at Lausanne, I went into an ale-house, without a penny in
my pocket to pay for my lodging, or knowing what would become of me. I
found myself extremely hungry--setting, therefore, a good face on the
matter, I ordered supper, made my meal, went to bed without thought
and slept with great composure. In the morning, having breakfasted and
reckoned with my host, I offered to leave my waistcoat in pledge for
seven batz, which was the amount of my expenses. The honest man refused
this, saying, thank Heaven, he had never stripped any one, and would not
now begin for seven batz, adding I should keep my waistcoat and pay him
when I could. I was affected with this unexpected kindness, but felt
it less than I ought to have done, or have since experienced on the
remembrance of it. I did not fail sending him his money, with thanks,
by one I could depend on. Fifteen years after, passing Lausanne, on my
return from Italy, I felt a sensible regret at having forgotten the name
of the landlord and house. I wished to see him, and should have felt
real pleasure in recalling to his memory that worthy action. Services
which doubtless have been much more important, but rendered with
ostentation, have not appeared to me so worthy of gratitude as the
simple unaffected humanity of this honest man.
As I approached Lausanne, I thought of my distress, and the means of
extricating myself, without appearing in want to my step-mother. I
compared myself, in this walking pilgrimage, to my friend Venture, on
his arrival at Annecy, and was so warmed with the idea, that without
recollecting that I had neither his gentility nor his talents, I
determined to act the part of little Venture at Lausanne, to teach
music, which I did not understand, and say I came from Paris, where I
had never been.
In consequence of this noble project (as there was no company where
I could introduce myself without expense, and not choosing to venture
among professional people), I inquired for some little inn, where I
could lodge cheap, and was directed to one named Perrotet, who took
in boarders. This Perrotet, who was one of the best men in the world,
received me very kindly, and after having heard my feigned story and
profession, promised to speak of me, and endeavored to procure me
scholars, saying he should not expect any money till I had earned it.
His price for board, though moderate in itself, was a great deal to me;
he advised me, therefore, to begin with half board, which consisted of
good soup only for dinner, but a plentiful supper at night. I closed
with this proposition, and the poor Perrotet trusted me with great
cheerfulness, sparing, meantime, no trouble to be useful to me.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account